FynbosLIFE Fair is taking place at Zandvlei Lookout in Muizenberg and festivities will be the order of the day and a great cure for any ‘eco-anxiety’.
“Cape Town is considered both the biodiversity and extinction capital of the world, within a buzzing Cape Floristic Region (CFR) biodiversity hotspot. Found only in the CFR, the Fynbos Biome is globally renowned for its exceptional plant species richness and endemicity. We want to showcase this and all things fynbos at the second FynbosLIFE Fair.” says Dr Caitlin von Witt, botanical ecologist and director of FynbosLIFE.
The untoward weather the world is experiencing can no longer be ignored, highlighting the need to reassess what is best ecologically suited in terms of what our future gardens look like, and locally indigenous fynbos most certainly makes sense. The FynbosLIFE Fair puts the spotlight on fynbos in all its forms.
“FynbosLIFE Fair, run on a volunteer basis, with a well curated selection of fynbos and nature conservation organisations and fabulous fynbos artisans, aims to give fynbos its place in the sun by showcasing its beauty, conservation value, versatility and diversity of fynbos products.” says von Witt.
Plants for sale
- Dr von Witt will speak about FynbosLIFE, fynbos propagation and restoration, and her team members will give insight on FynbosLIFE projects KURUfynbos, BoSSIES, FUNDAfynbos and the retail Cape Flats Fynbos Nursery.
- Stellenbosch University’s Prof. Nox Makunga will speak about her research and work on fynbos in medicine, Tracey Bodington of ‘Mini Mo Shows’ will enchant both kids and adults with fynbos snakes, UCT’s Prof. Muthama Muasya will talk on fynbos graminoids, Sea Change Project Leader Dr Jannes Landschoff will talk about their 1001 Seaforest Species project, UCT Future Water Institute’s Prof. Kirsty Carden will talk on urban wetlands and water resilient cities, and Andy Jamieson will share his experience on creating natural pools.
- Visitors can expect a fanfare of fynbos-inspired artwork, ceramics, fabrics and homeware; fynbos-distilled or -infused gin and rum, food featuring fynbos and much, much more” say FynbosLIFE Fair organisers Louise Baldwin and Genie Marais.
- Kids can explore the FUNbos play area for a range of fun environmentally themed activities with the Butterfly Art Project, NatureConnect, Sharkspotters and many more.
Environmental groups and hacking gurus will ease your eco-anxiety and inspire you to take action and join in with the work that they are doing.
Local musicians, and vinyl DJ extraordinaire from The Commons, Muizenberg, will provide vibey tunes for the day!
“Discover the wonder of our fynbos. Join the growing number of fynbos fanatics at the FynbosLIFE Fair!” says Dr von Witt.
WHAT: FynbosLIFE Fair
WHERE: Zandvlei Lookout, Promenade Rd, Muizenberg ,Cape Town 7950
WHEN: Sunday 10 September 2023 from 10am – 4pm
INFO: @FynbosLIFE website | See also Cape Town Green Map
Veld Circles
FynbosLIFE has created five Veld Circles which highlight the variety of fynbos vegetation types specific to these areas. In Muizenberg is the Zandvlei Strandveld Circle with Cape Flats Dune Strandveld [CFDS] plants. The Grootboschkloof Granite Fynbos Circle with Peninsula Granite Fynbos [PGF] plants is located at the Grootboschkloof Walk greenbelt in Constantia Hills. Recently created is the Doordrift Wetland Circle with Cape Lowland Freshwater Wetland [CLFW] species in the Doordrift Walk, Plumstead. In Newlands is the Papenboom Forest Circle full of Southern Afrotemperate Forest [SAF] understorey plants. Lastly the newly planted Meadowridge Sand Fynbos Circle showcases Cape Flats Sand Fynbos [CFSF] at the Meadowridge Common.
Watch this space for two additional fynbos exploratory Veld Circles planned for next year.
FynbosLIFE is currently working on three ecological restoration projects located at the Blaauwberg Nature Reserve, Haasendal Nature Reserve in Kuils River, and Tokai Park, as well as rehabilitating a large stormwater retention pond in Mitchell’s Plain.
To find out more about these, be sure to visit the Fair.
